Self-Tape Tips
Self-Tape Tips
Self Tape Tips
By Rylee Vogel
It is no secret that COVID caused many in-person jobs to become remote; however, it may come as a surprise to learn that auditions for musical theater and film are no exception, and they have remained remote in this post-COVID world. As many actors can attest, this is both a blessing and a curse. This means that actors can audition from all around the world for any project! This also means projects are getting more submissions, making it almost impossible for casting directors to fully watch and analyze everyone’s tape.
So, it is absolutely critical to make your tape stand out. You want your material to catch the casting director’s eye and keep them engaged.
Here are five tips for creating a good self-tape:
1: Good Lighting and Framing
Unless specified in the audition call, self-tape formatting is a landscape, medium shot with you centered in the frame. Meaning, your camera should be stabilized- a tripod, stack of books, or any creative arrangement works. There should be a couple of inches above your head to the top of the frame, and the bottom of the frame should hit the middle of your waist. There should be no back lighting and do your best to get rid of shadows.
2: Have a Proper Background
It is important to have a non-distracting background. Nothing should pull focus from you. An ironed sheet, curtain, or any backdrop is ideal in a muted color (blue, grey, white, tan, light pink).
3: Make Your Slate Clear and Concise
This is your chance to introduce yourself to casting and show them a bit of your personality. If it is not specified in the audition call, a general slate includes your name, height, current city of residence, and availability for callbacks and the project.
4: Read and Follow All Audition Instructions Thoroughly
Make sure you carefully read what casting is asking of you. If you are missing a piece of your audition, it becomes an easy way for casting to eliminate you before you even get the chance to be seen. Casting is always looking for professional actors who are good at taking direction.
5: Keep Your Takes to a Minimum
One of the faults of self-tapes is that it is easy to fall into the trap of recording over and over again until the tape is “perfect”. This quickly leads to burnout. The general suggestion is to allow yourself three takes. This mimics what an in-person audition is like but still allows you to play with different choices as an actor.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that auditions should be fun! Use a self tape as an opportunity to perform and practice your skills in the comfort of your own home. Actors never stop growing, and this is part of being a modern and versatile performer! Break a leg!
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